The wall of Chilwell was holding strong, with Tom M doing his best Harry Potter impression. Being a wizard on the ball and sweeping up any ball that came over the backline like he had a broom.

Flanked by Harry M and Isaac McL in a stalwart back three, Chilwell were imperious in the first half. 

Around 10 minutes before halftime, Toby K with the sun in his eyes unleashed a rocket of a shot from 20 yards out and it cannoned off the left post into the goal. 

Chilwell were rewarded for their good start and even Mr K admitted: “I was fed up with the sun in my eyes, so I just hit it, didn’t even know it went in.” 

The second half got underway and Chilwell’s energy levels hadn’t dropped, Zac M was pressing every loose ball like a young Jack Russell, whilst Alfie U wasn’t even contemplating letting the opposition win a second ball.

But South Notts started to settle into the game and began to test Alex M in the Chilwell goal. 

However, it was Chilwell who struck against the run of play, Zac M pounced on a goalkeeping error to put the Swans 2-0 up. But before Mr Fendick could take all the credit for his “Fendick Football”, South Notts hit back straight from kick off.

Chilwell failed to switch on and South Notts’ number 7 slotted a low shot past Montgomery into the bottom left corner. Game on. 

South Notts had all the momentum and with about 12 minutes left, they crafted a wonderful move, which culminated in a back heel lay-off, before a calm and composed finish into the bottom right corner. 2-2, level game. 

But it would be silly to write the Chilwell boys off that easily. Captain Harry M rallied the lads and they battled back, pinging the ball around like Pep Guardiola’s 2008 Barcelona. It was Alfie U who stepped up and danced around 3 players before hitting a shot which had more curve than a country road. 3-2. 

To quote Alfie: "It was probably the best goal I've scored in me life."

Against the odds, with no subs and a team ravaged by injuries, Chilwell were on the verge of something special. Yet, with virtually the last kick of the game, South Notts put a long throw into the box… A game of ping pong ensued, before South Notts poked the ball home. 3-3, heartbreak for Chilwell. 

After 5 minutes of extra time, it was time for penalties. The shootout was tense, neither team wanted to budge. Year 9’s Kheone D stepped up to take Chilwell’s fourth penalty and blazed it over the bar, it all looked over.

You could hear a pin drop as their number five approached the penalty spot, as if the drama couldn’t get any higher, he skied it after a lengthy run-up. Relief for Chilwell. 

Penalty after penalty and neither team was giving an inch. In a cruel twist of fate, it was George M who stepped and blazed his effort over the bar. 

Such a tough defeat to take for the Year 10 lads, who put in one hell of a performance, all the players embraced George and whilst the Swans are out of the County Cup, the South Notts Cup is right around the corner. 

Mr Bird’s Man of the Match: Isaac McL.